US5283906A - Notebook computer CMOS firmware processing method and the related hardware - Google Patents
Notebook computer CMOS firmware processing method and the related hardware Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5283906A US5283906A US07/780,227 US78022791A US5283906A US 5283906 A US5283906 A US 5283906A US 78022791 A US78022791 A US 78022791A US 5283906 A US5283906 A US 5283906A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- keyboard
- scanning
- mode
- computer
- detecting
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/32—Means for saving power
- G06F1/3203—Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
- G06F1/3234—Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
- G06F1/325—Power saving in peripheral device
- G06F1/3271—Power saving in keyboard
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/32—Means for saving power
- G06F1/3203—Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y02D10/00—Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
Definitions
- CMOS Complementary Metaloxide Semiconductor
- NMOS N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor
- QFT Type single chip packing method the basic hardware structure and firmware design of a notebook computer generally remain unchanged relative to a standard computer keyboard design.
- the present invention not only adopts CMOS and QFP Type but also applies the functions of Idle Mode and Power Down of the CMOS used.
- keyboard and CMOS By means of firmware processing to match with a special hardware design, keyboard and CMOS almost consume zero electric current when there is no any key code made or no any command from the mainframe (because they are kept in idle mode or power down mode). In comparing the consumption of electric current in CMOS under Idle Mode and Power Down to its normal working mode, the former is about 15% or less relative to the normal working mode. In some single chips, the consumption of electric current under Power Down may be as low as 10 ⁇ A.
- the so-called "idle condition” includes the dead time between each two code making actions while an user is spending time in thinking, and any dead time caused by any reasons), that is to say, idle time in much longer than execution time.
- the present invention is to make use of this phenomenon of the distribution of time permitting a keyboard to enter a power-saving mode during idle time, so as to reduce power consumption.
- FIG. 1 is a hardware circuit diagram according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is the single chip firmware flow chart Part-I according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is the single chip firmware flow chart Part-II according to the present invention.
- the pins of X0-X7 each is connected with a diode, and therefore, there are total 8 diodes.
- Each diode has an opposite end connected with one another and also connected to INT1.
- This special hardware connecting method matches with a special firmware design to greatly save power consumption.
- the firmware design of the present invention is outlined hereinafter:
- the scan period is 8 lines per 4 ms, and all lines will be scanned within 8 ms, therefore, 8 ms can be called as a full scan period.
- the firmware drives all scanning lines to Low so as to enter Idle Mode, and therefore, the consumption of electric current is reduced.
- the continuous execution program drives the keyboard to start a full scan period again from the first line, namely Y0.
- the posterior program will be continuously executed to prohibit skip code, identify the key code sent by the ghost key . . . and etc., and then, the program will return to scan the next line. This procedure is repeated again and again.
- the program After the scanning of each line within each full scan period, the program will skip to I/O and check if there is any code in the buffer to be sent out. A code will be sent out if any, or the program will immediately check if there is any command from the mainframe (the system) to the keyboard. If there is a command sent from the mainframe to the keyboard, the keyboard will receive such a command and then skip to scanning program, or it will return to scanning problem directly to scan the next line (before entering Idle Mode, the keyboard will completely send out all codes registered in the buffer).
- the mainframe may send a command to the keyboard while the keyboard enters Idle Mode.
- Data is connected between the keyboard and the mainframe and also connected to INT0.
- the mainframe gives a command to the keyboard, Data is turned to Low.
- the present invention is to utilize this phenomenon to enable the external interrupt function by means of the process of the firmware. Once an external interrupt signal is given, the single chip will immediately wake up from Idle Mode to receive the command from the mainframe.
- two additional control lines are connected to I/O for controlling the communication with the mainframe (the system), namely, a Pull Low Disable Keyboard and a Reset. These two control lines match with a special firmware design to achieve power down function.
- a control switch or automatic timer switch is fastened in a notebook computer mainframe. If the computer is at an idle condition for a fixed length of time, it will be detected by the computer mainframe and, the computer will be then set at Power Down Mode, i.e., through Pull Low Disable Keyboard to pull the line to Low. Under this condition, the keyboard will detect the pin at all times.
- the firmware will automatically set to enter Power Down Mode, so as to greatly reduce the keyboard from consuming electric current (about 10 ⁇ A) and disable the keyboard.
- the control switch on the notebook computer mainframe is pressed on and, the keyboard will immediately wake up (for mounting the control switch, the earth wire and the reset control pin are connected).
- FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the flow chart of the firmware as designed according to the present invention.
- Step 20 indicates the start of the process.
- Step 21 indicates the default of the ICs in FIG. 1 and the scanning of all lines at 8 ms as a full scan period.
- Step 22 is to detect if there is any command from the mainframe to the keyboard. If a command from the mainframe to the keyboard is detected, do the command 23 and then return to scanning program, or skip to step 24 to check if any code to be sent from the buffer.
- Step 26 is to check the status of every key after one full scan period, so as to enter Power Down Mode if Pull Low Disable Keyboard is pulled to Low, or to continue Step 28 if it is pulled to High.
- Step 28 it is to check if scanning job has been completed. If scanning operation is completed, it immediately enters Step 30, or it will return to scanning program.
- Step 30 it is to check if there is any code to be sent out from the buffer. If there is a code to be sent out from the buffer, the code is sent out immediate and then, the keyboard will return to scanning program.
- Step 31 of Idle Mode If there is no any code to be sent out from the buffer, it immediately enters Step 31 of Idle Mode.
- Step 32 indicates that the single chip wakes up immediately if there is any key been pressed or any command from the mainframe been given to the keyboard.
- Step 29 indicates that the program will return to Step 21 if the Reset key is pressed during Power Down Mode.
- Step 33 is the code sending program code. If there is any code detected, it will immediately skip to Step 34 so as to send out the code, or it will skip to Step 35 so as to scan next line.
- the present invention provides an improved, simple hardware circuit and a keyboard firmware processing technique which enable a keyboard to self-check its current status so as to save power consumption by pulling all scanning lines to Low when keyboard is under idle condition.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Power Sources (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (3)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE4208405A DE4208405A1 (en) | 1992-03-16 | 1992-03-16 | NOTEBOOKCOMPUTER CMOS FIRMWARE PROCESSING PROCESS AND RELATED HARDWARE |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5283906A true US5283906A (en) | 1994-02-01 |
Family
ID=6454207
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/780,227 Expired - Lifetime US5283906A (en) | 1992-03-16 | 1991-10-22 | Notebook computer CMOS firmware processing method and the related hardware |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US5283906A (en) |
DE (1) | DE4208405A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5408423A (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1995-04-18 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Battery operated portable terminal device and method of operation |
US5446906A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1995-08-29 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for suspending and resuming a keyboard controller |
US5585792A (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1996-12-17 | Usar Systems Inc. | Enegry-saving keyboard |
US5630144A (en) * | 1993-02-19 | 1997-05-13 | Phoenix Technologies Ltd. | Desktop computer monitor power control using keyboard controller |
US5790876A (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1998-08-04 | Sony Corporation | Power saving control system and method for use with serially connected electronic devices |
US5954820A (en) * | 1997-09-26 | 1999-09-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Portable computer with adaptive demand-driven power management |
DE19742845C2 (en) * | 1997-04-07 | 2000-09-14 | Samsung Electro Mech | Wired / wireless keyboard and control methods therefor |
US20020083280A1 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2002-06-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data server system, computer apparatus, and recording medium |
US6438699B1 (en) | 1999-05-04 | 2002-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Key stroke detection for keyboard remote wake-up |
US6643785B1 (en) * | 1999-09-27 | 2003-11-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Interruption control circuit for use in an apparatus having a microcomputer |
US12020873B2 (en) | 2021-10-27 | 2024-06-25 | Darfon Electronics Corp. | Sensing keyboard and sensing keyswitches thereof |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10010100A1 (en) | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-20 | Fpt Robotik Gmbh & Co | Gripping device for automatically removing flat material from transport packaging has pivotable/linearly movable side vanes containing gripper unit for gripping e.g. covering layers |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4698748A (en) * | 1983-10-07 | 1987-10-06 | Essex Group, Inc. | Power-conserving control system for turning-off the power and the clocking for data transactions upon certain system inactivity |
US4758945A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1988-07-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for reducing power consumed by a static microprocessor |
US4809163A (en) * | 1983-05-18 | 1989-02-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Computer system with power control based on the operational status of terminals |
US4922450A (en) * | 1987-10-08 | 1990-05-01 | Rose Frederick A | Communications management system having multiple power control modes |
US5025387A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1991-06-18 | Motorola, Inc. | Power saving arrangement for a clocked digital circuit |
US5041964A (en) * | 1989-06-12 | 1991-08-20 | Grid Systems Corporation | Low-power, standby mode computer |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4014683A1 (en) * | 1990-05-08 | 1991-11-21 | Klaus Jeschke | Data processing arrangement for personal computer - has keyboard controller influencing potential on wire of keyboard cable with another function |
-
1991
- 1991-10-22 US US07/780,227 patent/US5283906A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-03-16 DE DE4208405A patent/DE4208405A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4758945A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1988-07-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for reducing power consumed by a static microprocessor |
US4809163A (en) * | 1983-05-18 | 1989-02-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Computer system with power control based on the operational status of terminals |
US4698748A (en) * | 1983-10-07 | 1987-10-06 | Essex Group, Inc. | Power-conserving control system for turning-off the power and the clocking for data transactions upon certain system inactivity |
US4922450A (en) * | 1987-10-08 | 1990-05-01 | Rose Frederick A | Communications management system having multiple power control modes |
US5025387A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1991-06-18 | Motorola, Inc. | Power saving arrangement for a clocked digital circuit |
US5041964A (en) * | 1989-06-12 | 1991-08-20 | Grid Systems Corporation | Low-power, standby mode computer |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5408423A (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1995-04-18 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Battery operated portable terminal device and method of operation |
US5630144A (en) * | 1993-02-19 | 1997-05-13 | Phoenix Technologies Ltd. | Desktop computer monitor power control using keyboard controller |
US5446906A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1995-08-29 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for suspending and resuming a keyboard controller |
US5585792A (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1996-12-17 | Usar Systems Inc. | Enegry-saving keyboard |
US5790876A (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1998-08-04 | Sony Corporation | Power saving control system and method for use with serially connected electronic devices |
DE19742845C2 (en) * | 1997-04-07 | 2000-09-14 | Samsung Electro Mech | Wired / wireless keyboard and control methods therefor |
US5954820A (en) * | 1997-09-26 | 1999-09-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Portable computer with adaptive demand-driven power management |
US6438699B1 (en) | 1999-05-04 | 2002-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Key stroke detection for keyboard remote wake-up |
US6643785B1 (en) * | 1999-09-27 | 2003-11-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Interruption control circuit for use in an apparatus having a microcomputer |
US20020083280A1 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2002-06-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data server system, computer apparatus, and recording medium |
US6877074B2 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2005-04-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus having durable storage |
US12020873B2 (en) | 2021-10-27 | 2024-06-25 | Darfon Electronics Corp. | Sensing keyboard and sensing keyswitches thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE4208405A1 (en) | 1993-09-23 |
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